Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Lt 148, 1909

Starr, Brother and Sister [G. B.]

St. Helena, California

December 1, 1909

This letter is published in entirety in 7MR 107-109.

Dear Brother and Sister Starr:

I have just read your letter and the one to Brother and Sister Kress. I am glad to hear from you and to learn of your work. I will send you a copy of a letter I have written to Dr. Kress, from which you will see that I am in full harmony with the plan of his uniting with you in work in the cities. Our duty to work in the cities has been kept before me for years. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 1

If the Lord be served truly and intelligently, there will be a humble and devotional frame of mind. Our people need to heed the cautions that the Lord has given over the over again. I trust that you will not be diverted from the grand work that needs to be done to enlighten the people. You are to learn from Christ how to reach the great number of people in our cities who know not the truth for this time. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 2

Let your words be of a character to exalt the Word of God. Live and teach the principles of health reform. Emphasize your belief in the great truths upon which Christian people generally will agree with you. As you advocate the truth of God, you are in every respect to be an example to the believers. “Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Try to follow closely the Lord’s plans. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” [Philippians 2:12, 13.] 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 3

The importance of making our way in the great cities is still kept before me. For many years the Lord has been urging upon us this duty, and yet we see but comparatively little accomplished in our great centers of population. If we do not take up this work in a determined manner, Satan will multiply difficulties which will not be easy to surmount. We are far behind in doing the work that should have been done in these long neglected cities. The work will now be more difficult than it would have been a few years ago. But if we take up the work in the name of the Lord, barriers will be broken down, and decided victories will be ours. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 4

In this work physicians and gospel ministers are needed. We must press our petitions to the Lord, and do our best, pressing forward with all the energy possible to make an opening in the large cities. Had we in the past worked after the Lord’s plans, many lights would be shining brightly that are going out. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 5

In connection with the presentation of spiritual truths, we should also present what the Word of God says upon the questions of health and temperance. In every way possible, we must seek to bring souls under the convicting and converting power of God. The believers in our churches need to be aroused to act their part. Let seasons of prayer be appointed, and let us earnestly seek the Lord for an increase of faith and courage. Let ministers and other church members labor for souls as never before. We are not to spend our time merely in repeating over and over again the same things to the churches where the truth is well known. Let the church members labor unitedly in their several lines to create an interest. The disciples of Christ are to unite in labor for perishing souls. Let the laborers invite others to unite with them in their efforts, that many may be fired with zeal to work for the Master. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 6

I entreat of the church members in every city that they lay hold upon the Lord with determined effort for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Be assured that Satan is not asleep. Every obstacle possible he will place in the way of those who would advance in this work. Too often these obstacles are regarded as insurmountable. Let every one now be soundly and truly converted and then lay hold of the work intelligently and with faith. 24LtMs, Lt 148, 1909, par. 7